I am a Democrat running for State Representative in the 1st Franklin District of Massachusetts because experience matters.

I have a regional economic vision that fosters growth in our agricultural, manufacturing, clean tech and education industries, while simultaneously making our region a hub for the innovation economy and arts community. To hit the ground running, the next representative from the 1st Franklin District will need to draw from considerable experience with local government, an understanding of public/private collaboration, and a vision for our region. I believe my local government and professional experiences give me the tools to succeed and apply my skills to work of the next state representative from the 1st Franklin District of Massachusetts.

These skills will help ensure that we:

Finish the job of broadband access to every resident and business in our district and other rural communities and districts.

Provide a 21st Century education to our children and 21st Century job opportunities to our residents.

Be a leader in the mitigation of the generationally immoral and catastrophic consequences of climate change.

Create an economic climate that draws individuals and families to our region.

My government and professional successes are rooted in my commitment to Western Massachusetts the 1st Franklin District. I hope you will join me in a journey of purpose as I work to earn your support as we enter a new political chapter in the region.

Sincerely,

News

Jonathan Edwards, one of seven Democrats vying for the 1st Franklin District House seat in the Sept. 4 primary, repeated his call this week for full state funding of special education, citing a recent study by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.

The report concludes that the state has been shortchanging public education by over $1 billion a year for special education as well as $1.5 billion in health insurance benefits.

Whately 1st Franklin candidate Jonathan Edwards wants a state economic development executive’s position to be created for western Massachusetts as part of “Rural Jobs” legislation now before the State House.

Edwards, one of seven hopefuls seeking the 1st Franklin House District seat being vacated by Rep. Stephen Kulik of Worthington, believes a permanent assistant secretary’s position should be created as part of the bill recently introduced by Kulik and Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, and said he would encourage its immediate adoption.

“The creativity and innovation demonstrated … (by Hinds and Kulik in the bill) “is the type of work I intend to continue to expand upon if I am elected,” said Edwards in a written statement. “To maximize this policy and to ensure that new investment dollars are met with critical public/private partnerships and advocacy for job growth in our region, we must also create the permanent position.”

Jonathan Edwards, 1st Franklin state representative district candidate, said this week he would strongly favor the House of Representatives to pass the Omnibus Energy Bill that passed unanimously in the Senate recently.

The Whately selectman, one of eight Democrats in the Sept. 4 primary seeking the seat being vacated by Rep. Stephen Kulik, said he encourages the House to “quickly follow the lead of the Senate and pass this bill so that Massachusetts can maintain its leadership role with clean energy and energy efficiency.”

“If this remains unpassed in January of 2019 and I am the elected representative from the 1st Franklin District, I will make it one of my top priorities to work with my new colleagues to make this bill a reality,” said Edwards, citing several parts of the Senate bill “that would make for strong public policy in our battle against climate change and the ongoing work to create a stronger economy across our region.”

SOUTH DEERFIELD — South County EMS has a new location on Greenfield Road and they’re calling it something they long desired — home.

The 88 Greenfield Road home base opened Saturday, culminating a roughly four-year process to find a permanent location for the regional medical services provider, according to South County EMS Director Zachary Smith. The building was built by Deerfield Academy and will be the central location from which EMS personnel will respond to emergencies in Deerfield, Whately and Sunderland.

Edwards, who’s been a Whately selectman for 14 years and the president of the Franklin County Selectboard Association for six years, believes that experience — along with his years as a coach and president of a youth baseball league — gives him an edge, although he’s also making the rounds of the 19-town district.